Playing Time. As a coach, we always deal with this. How many times have I told a player, "coaches don't decide who plays, players decide." Yes, we all know that playing time is EARNED. I talked a little about this in Chapter 2's review: How accepting the narrative that we do not earn favor, forgiveness, or acceptance is just flat out hard for the "coach" in me. This chapter’s truth : God is generous and gives them to us freely.

• On page 77 Jim writes about a false narrative. "Love and forgiveness are commodities that are exchanged for performance. God's love, acceptance, and forgiveness must be merited by right living. What God most wants is for us not to sin and instead do good..." What effect does that narrative have on your relationship with God?
• Sin. Jesus hates it! We understand that truth -- we as coaches hate turnovers! On page 78 Jim writes "To say that sin has consequences is different than saying because of our sin God entirely rejects us". Think about those turnovers again. When players turn the ball over, there clearly are consequences to the game and to our team goals. Do we as coaches hate the player who turns the ball over? How do we react to her? Is this how god reacts to us when we sin?
• Generosity is not an activity; it is a character trait. And Jesus was the most generous person who ever lived! We are truly most like Jesus when we give! What did you learn about his character from Matthew 20:1-15?
• When I truly understood my identity as Jane, in whom Christ dwells and DELIGHTS, it changed how I felt about myself. it may be kinda corny, but when I truly understand that the God of the universe delights in Jane Albright, it makes me feel very special. Think about this: What if we as coaches, could delight in our players in this way? If they really felt that their coach delighted in them, don't you think it would change how they felt, too? Can you think of ways you as a coach can show each of them His love by your delight in them?
• Psalm 23! What a beautiful expression of God's gracious protection, provision, and care! Did anything about this well known Psalm jump out at you as you did this exercise? How did it make you feel?

My prayer for each of you this week, is that in this competitive world, you can realize that our gracious Lord has abundant resources and enough for each of us in His Kingdom. Yes, even for those coaches in your conference. Provision for us all!